Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Badminton Racket Review: Li-Ning Woods N90-II

Before I got one, I've not had a good impression for Li-Ning rackets. They're really over-priced, and their design sense could really use a little improving. All of the rackets that I've seen hanging off the racks at the sports store are usually dusty and not really in a rush to go anywhere.

But that was until I got one of these babies. The Li-Ning Woods N90-II proved to be a really good racket both offensively and on the defense. While weighing a tonne, the racket somehow allows a very delicate and overwhelming sense of control and speed.

I might even say that it's right up there in terms of usability with the Yonex Voltric 80 (which in my opinion is the best racket that Yonex has ever made).

First off, the N90-II looks like a very fiery dream. It screams CHINA, and might even impart some of the skill of their best players to you (patent pending). Ha.

It's taken me awhile since getting my hand on a Li-Ning Woods N90-II to write this review, mainly because I don't really want to use it too much in case I damage the very awesome paintwork.

But enough of my vanity and onto the review proper.

This review's my opinion of the racket from using it in my games, my style. There are a lot of ways to play badminton, so take this with a pinch of salt. I'm here to tell you, in as much accuracy as I can, how my games went with the racket. Comments welcome!

Defense
At first handle, I shudder to think what my defense with this racket would be like. I remember when I first used the Yonex Armortec 900 Power and how the weight of that racket totally destroyed my reaction speed.

The N90-II comes heavier and bulkier than the AT900P, but when it came to swing the racket in the face of a drive or smash, the Li-Ning racket comes off very well. It's able to deflect most of the attacks that come at me with as much finesse as it has power.

The good thing about the weight is the way it helps you deliver a good block or defensive drive to the back of the court without the use of much energy.

On the softer blocks, the weight of the racket head also helps when you want to pull off all those tricky dropping net shots that hug close to the net. A light touch is what it usually needs to tip the shuttle over.

I don't know how Li-Ning does it, or if it's because I got lucky with the weight distribution of this one, but the N90-II is insanely easy to use on the defense, far outclassing any of the other head heavy rackets that I've come across.

Attack
The first smash I threw with the N90-II got a compliment from my playing buddy. I remember how nice it felt coming off the string bed, and how good it sounded. I'm not a power player, so my shuttles don't carry a lot of speed, but the Li-Ning Woods N90-II delivers a rather satisfying speed with the shuttle.

The well-made racket also boasts a nice driving speed, with the shuttle moving a fast speed away with the lightest of touches. Wrist players will especially enjoy this as you get a high yield with very little effort.

Swings on the racket come off really fast as well, and the added weight in the head gave me a very good angle with the natural follow-through that came with the downward swings.

However, I did feel a gradual loss in speed when it came down to the flat exchanges. The wrist won't be able to support the weight of the racket or as long as your other rackets that for sure. The slightly whip-like nature of the shaft helps in this situation, allowing better energy transfer when you need it.

Control
Have you seen Lin Dan throw off shot after shot of impossible angles and velocity? Well, using the Li-Ning Woods N90-II made me feel like I could pull off some of those shots if I wanted to.

The slightly larger head frame of the racket delivers the promise of a wide assortment of shots into your arsenal. Larger string bed, larger surface area to play shots around with.

Need a tighter spin on your net drops? Take aim a little off the center for a harder feel. Want the repulsion to push the shuttle off the the back line? Take the shuttle with the enlarged sweet spot to get maximum distance without using too much arm strength.

Once again, I'll have to credit the heavy head of the racket for the wonder drop shots that it's managed to pull off for me. The shuttles spin off the string bed and seldom fails to find it's way sharply towards the other side.

I judge how good the control is for a racket by how much I'm able to direct the play of a game. The more I can walk around the court, the more control I feel I am getting, the more comfort I'm feeling, the better my shot quality.

The Li-Ning Woods N90-II really made my games a breeze.

Looks
I call this the dragon. It's primarily red, with white yellow and gold streaks running down the head frame and onto the shaft, where gold writing completes the majesty of the Li-Ning Woods N90-II.

Like an emperor sitting on his throne, my N90-II sits domineeringly on my shelf, a power resting within waiting to be unleashed.

I am planning to either get a Woods N90II or N90. Reading on a forum page, people said that the N90 offered more power while the N90II offers more control and defense. Reading your posts and ratings, I see you also agree with this. However, do you see a big difference in power, control, or defense and which racket do you like to use more? I play singles.

According to you, it seemed that the N90ii was a more control based VTZF, so what do you think about this compared to the ZT80? You gave both high marks in control, with the VT80 a high rating in power.

So my question is whether you have trouble getting the "extra edge" with the N90ii as it is one of the hardest rackets, which you probably shouldn't since you we're able to control the N90 which is the hardest racket to control thus far.

Or have you suffered timing problems?

Maybe I should just stick with my Flymax Extra Power 550, the cheap rackets work the best haha.

I got a VTZF recently, but I kept mid hitting due to the smaller head size and the extreme head heaviness did not really work for me either, felt no increase in power.

Overall, what do you think is the best racket for me? I am a player that is mostly aggressive, but loves to surprise the opponent but with bad drop shots. I am looking for a racket with high power output as control can be honed via skill. I heard N90ii has a larger head size, would be good as my accuracy can improve.

But is the N90ii really a good racket for high beginner players such as I or is the VT80, which is in your description a good racket to use better for me.

Awaiting your response.

F.y.i to the other member: if he is a bad player, then why is he capable of controlling rackets such as the VTZF whereas people that claim themselves as "advanced" cannot? Pls think before you speak.

I want to ask your opinion Mr Wong. I am using zlash but i can generate a powerful smash with it. Now i am considering change to N90II, hopefully can give me more power. Do you think i can control N90 II ?

Hi Arthur,Have you tried N90-II(S-type)? What's the difference between N90-II, N90-II(S-type) & N90? I'm looking for one which can have a good defensive & attacking play. I also uses alot of wrist play.Pls advice.Thanks.

Hi Arthur,Have you tried N90-II(S-type)? What's the difference between N90-II, N90-II(S-type) & N90? I'm looking for one which can have a good defensive & attacking play. I also uses alot of wrist play.Pls advice.Thanks.

Hi ArthurHow much weight will lead tape add to your racket? Will it give a 4u yonex voltric z force 2 the power and feel of a 3u version? Have you tried the victor thruster k9000 ? Can you compare it to the zf 2Thank You

Hi there, I'm not sure where to start. I've read your review on the N90 ii and see it recommended elsewhere, but I'm struggling to make a decision. Around 7 years ago I had a serious injury on my wrist that needed an operation to shorten my hand ligaments. With that in mind my flexion isn't brilliant. I've recently started playing badminton as the nature of the sport really forces me to work my wrist and in theory keep it stretched and supple. For christmas I want to buy a new racket as I'm truly loving the game. As a more experienced player what type of racket should I be looking for. My worry with the N90ii is that all the weight is in the head and I won't be able to generate the power well enough. Would I be better off with a racket where the balance is further down the shaft. Flexion in the shaft may be better or maybe a stiffer racket is required. So what balance is ideal for someone who hasn't got full flexion in their wrist: one where the weight is in the head or down the shaft; one which has a flexible shaft or one that is rigid. Haven't got a lot of money to spend, but I'm seeing offers on the N90ii or the Carlton Razor V1.0. What do you think. I really hope you have some advice for me.

The N90-ii is probably the most head-heavy of the Li-Ning rackets, but it makes up for it with a slightly flexible shaft. This gives the user a little more help on the attacks but takes away from the control.

I have not had the chance to use the Carlton Kinesis, so I can't comment on that one.

But more than the rackets you decide to use, I would like to advise on the types of shots you choose to play during your game.

Losing a few degrees off your wrist means you won't have as much angles as you would like. This can be compensated by taking the shuttle earlier or jumping to take your shots.

As for power, you can take a look at how Lin Dan smashes - the use of his shoulder when he smashes.

These are often better ways to improve your attack than to get an expensive racket :)

Which is the best strings for this racquet bought it yesterday played with it today strings are quite loose I am a power player my game is fully based on my powerful jump smashes so I need to know which is best strings please mention its tension also....

Erm... you don't have to bend the racket that much to feel its stiffness. Just enough to know how much it takes to bend the racket will do.

Also, over time the graphite in the racket will get brittle and less strong structurally. So for older rackets, it is important not to bend it manually. The graphite in the shaft has already formed according to the bend of the racket in swing and won't take to another angle well.

The more experienced players (or those who have too many rackets) will be able to feel the stiffness of the racket by taking a few practice swings. It is also more accurate because the shaft is being bent according to the swing.